The pay of a commercial or owner operator truck driver can vary widely depending on your experience, where in the country you work, your company (which may be your owner operator business), and the type of driving that you do. We will focus on the last factor, the type of truck driving, and will list out and describe three of them. These driving jobs pay well either because few want to do them or because they require specialized skills.
Owner Operator Truck Driver
While this isn’t technically a job because the owner operator truck driver isn’t hired by an employer, such a person is still making a living driving a truck. The difference however, is that he or she is self-employed and running a business. How much the person makes, depends on their trucking skills (until they can start hiring drivers) and most importantly, their business skills and ability to pick up well-paying load hauling runs. If you are good at this, a lot of money can be made by expanding your business and adding more drivers. Some independent truckers can net $70,000 to $100,000 per year.
Ice Road Truck Driver
Parts of Alaska and northern Canada are filled with many lakes. The rugged nature of these areas makes cargo transport difficult. However, this changes somewhat in the winter when the ground and the lakes freeze and solidify. This makes hauling freight viable if very dangerous.
The possibility of your rig breaking through the ice of a frozen lake is real if you don’t follow driving protocols or pay attention to signs. It’s not unusual to hear the sound of cracking ice as it adjusts to the weight of your rig. The weather can turn against you with blizzards, and the temperature drops as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of these risks and the shortness of the driving season (2 to 3 months), the pay is very high. You can make up to $120,000 for a few months of work.
Heavy Load or Oversize Load Driver
Hauling a heavy or oversized load takes careful planning. You have to know in advance which roadways can handle the size and weight of your load. Bridge capacities, height clearances, traffic levels, lane widths, and best travel times of the day are some of the considerations. If the trip crosses state lines, you will need permits issued by each state and will have to adhere to their various requirements. You will also have a team riding on the road with your rig that includes a spotter. The job demands a lot of skill, knowledge, and planning.
Heavy or oversized load driving is considered specialized freight which generally pays better than average. Other types of specialized freight include new cars for dealerships, hazardous materials, and refrigerated goods.
If you are looking for affordable commercial or owner operator truck insurance in Florida, don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions.
